Refrigerating machine



March 2l,- 1933. c. oRR

REFRIGERATING MACHINE 2 Sheets-Sheet l Filed July 3. 1920 Inventor: Clar K O rr` ,r4/62M Jqttorneg.

His

March 21, 1933. Q QRR REFRIGERATING MACHINE Filed July 3. 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Flip). 7

Inventor Clark Orr,

Patented Mar. y21, 1933 UNITED STATES` PATENT OFFICE CLARK OBR, 0F FORT WAYNE, INDIANA, ABBIGNOB T0 GENERAL ELEGIBIC COMPANY, A CORPORATION 0F NEW YORK REFRIGERATING MACHINE Application led July 3, 1920. Serial No. 398,888.

This invention relates to refri rating machines and more particularly to tiit type of machine wherein a suitable refrigerating medium is passed through a cycle which consists first, in compressing it while in gaseous condition, second, cooling it until it is liquefied, and third, allowing it to evaporate and expand whereby it absorbs heat and the surrounding objects are maintained at the desired low temperature.

An object of the invention is to provide an improved system for circulating a cooling fluid through the apparatus to condense the gaseous refrigerant and to maintain the compressor motor at a sufiiciently low temperature.

Another object is to provide an improved oil circulating system for lubricating the motor and compressor.

Another object is to prevent accumulation of oil in the evaporator coils.

Another objectv is to provide a self-contained compressor and condenser which is simple in construction, inexpensive to manufacture and efficient in operation.

Another object is to provide a refrigerator box, having a central compartment for containing the refrigerator coils, which compartment is constructed and arranged to provide an efficient circulation of air through the refrigerator and is readil accessible from three sides thereof to facilitate cleaning.

Referring to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a sectional view of a refrigerating machine and its mounting, certain of the parts being shown in elevation; Fig. 2 shows a detail section of the motor shaft thrust bearing and oil pump; Fig. 3 shows an elevation of the motor shaft bearing disc and its enclosing cup; Fig. 4 is a section taken on the line i4.- of Fig. 1; Fig. 5 a top plan View of th" evaporator with .its supporting hangers removed; Fig. 6 shows side elevation partly in section if a mediied ferm of evaporator, and Figs. 7 and 8 are sectional views partly in elevation showing an improved refrigerator and the manner of mounting my refrigerating machine thereon.

ln Fig. 1 of the drawings, represents the top of a refrigerator having an opening 11 thereon and provided with a cover 12. Suitably secured by means of bolts 13 to the top of the cover is a base casing, which is a casting 14. This casting is formed with a. chamber 15 adapted to conduct cooling water from the pipe 16 to the condensing coil 17. The` condensing coil is located in acondensing chamber formed by the casing, which is referably a castin 18 and the top of the Ibase casting 14. T e upper end of the condensing coil passes up through an opening 19 in the top of the condenser casting, through the compression chamber 20, thence through the wall of the compression chamber and into chamber 21. The compression chamber 20 is formed in a casing, which is preferably a casting 22 which is constructed with lower portion 23 and restricted dome shaped up er portion 24. Chamber 21 is formed by the upper portion of the casting 22 and the enclosing cap 25. An opening 26 communicating with cap 25 rovides an outlet for the cooling water.

he flow of cooling water is automatically regulated by valve 27 operated b a socalled thermostat. This consists o a tube 28 which is located in the chamber 21 and communicates with a bellows 29. Both bellows and tube are filled with an expansible fluid, such as ethylchloride, a rise in the temperature of this iuid expands the bellows and operates valve 27 against s ring 30. The How of cooling water is therefbre automatically controlled in response to the temperature within the chamber 21. Between portions 23 and 24 of the casting 22 is a casing, which is preferably a castin 31 and between this latter casting and t e upper part of casting 18 is locate(1 the compressor. This comprises cylinders 32 provided with trunnions 33, and 34, journaled in the castings 18 and 31. The lower portions of the cylinders are attened and are maintained in close contact with the top of the casting 18 by means of springs 35 interposed between the cylinders and the bearings 37. The gaseous refrigerant is conducted to the compressor cylinder through passages 38 formed in the upper portion of the casting 18 and through o enings 39 formed in cylinder walls. Sni ter valves 40 serve to ermit the passage :of the compressed gas into chamber 20. Pistons 41 are operated through straps 42 of an eccentric 43 mounted on a shaft 44 journaled in the castings 18 and 31. Mounted upon shaft 44 is a gear wheel 45 adapted to mesh with a pinion 46 on shaft 47. The teeth of the gear 45 and pinion 46 are in planes parallel to the shaft as shown. Shaft 47 is journaled at its lower end in a bracket 48 formed in the casting 31 and extends upwardly into the dome shaped portion of the casting 24. Upon the shaft 47 is mounted the rotor 49 of an electric motor of any suitable type. In order to sustain the weight of the rotor 49 and shaft 47 and to insure quiet operation, a special form of bearing is provided which comprises a cup 50 secured to the shaft 47 beneath the pinion 46. This cup contains a felt washer 51 which is adapted to be supportedl on a bearing disc 52. Bearing disc 52 rotates with the shaft 47 by engagement of projections 53 on the disc 52 in notches 54 cut into edges of the cup 50 and bears against the upper face of the stationary stqp bearing 55. The felt washer 51 is of su cient thickness to prevent the projections 53 from completely seating themselves in the notches 54 with the result that the washer sustains the weight of the shaft and rotor, and absorbs much of the vibration which would otherwise' be communicated to the casing of the machine. The stator 56 of the motor is bolted at 57 to the dome portion 24. The current is supplied to the motor through insulated leads 58 which pass through and are sealed into the casting 22 at 59. I prefer to use a system of motor control which is in part responsive to some condition created by the apparatus, such for example as the temperature in the refrigerating compartment.

Screwed into the opening 19 and spaced somewhat from the pipe 17 is a tube 60. The upper end of this tube opens into the compression chamber and serves as a means to conduct the compressed refri erant from the compression chamber into t e condensing chamber. The tube 60 also serves as a separator or baiile to minimize the amount of oil carried from the com ression chamber to the condensing cham er. Compression chamber 20 is adapted to contain oil preferably sufficient in uantity to submerge cylinders 32. In order t atall bearings may have proper lubrication, means is provided for raising the oil from the bottom of the compression chamber and s raying the same a ainst the sides of the ome. This consists ofa rotary pump 61, comprising a hub provided with impeller blades 62 and screwed onto a rojection 63 on the lower end of shaft 4 Surrounding said imning 65 in the cap 64 and is forced outwar ly by blades 62 into passages between the bracket 48 and cap 64. t then passes through open-ing 66 into the shaft 47 thence u wardly through the center of the shaft 4 to the bearing 67. Attached tothe shaft 47 directly beneath the bearing 67 is a cup shaped member 68. The oil on overflowing the bearin 67 passes into this cup shaped member an by the rotary movement thereof is thrown onto the sides of the dome and drains back into the lower part of the compressor chamber. The lubricating oil in an enclosed com ression refrigerating system of this kin takes into solution a certain amount of refrigerant from the system which im airs the lubricating qualities of the oil. frigerant in solution is substantially reduced in the foregoing described construction, as.

the refrigerant in solution in the oil is va porized by the heat of compression from the cylinders of the compressor, and also by the heat from the motor over which the oil containing refrigerant is circulated by the pump 61. The refrigerant in the oil which is vaporized in this way passes into the system which decreases the amount of refrigerant in the oil so as to substantially improve its lubricating ualities.

Formed in t e base castin 14 is a depression 69 in the condensing c amber which 1n effect constitutes a reservoir for the collection of the liquid refrigerant. Passing throu h the bottom of this reservoir is a threa ed opening 70 and screwed into this opening is a valve seat 71 which cooperates with the valve head 72 attached to the lever arm 73. This arm is pivoted at 74 to the castin 14 and carries at its outer end a float 75 which is located in the depression 69 and will be raised when a predetermined quantity of liquid has collected in the reservoir. The depression 69 is just large enough to receive the float 75. Communicating with he amount of re-y the opening 70 is a tube 76 which passes to the evaporator 77.

Likewise secured to the cover 12 by the bolts 13 but depending therefrom are brackets 78 and secured to the lower portion of these brackets is the cover 79 of the brine 82 and evaporator coils 83. The receptacle 82 is of cylindrical form and preferably has concave ends 84. Inlet pipe 76 com- `municates with the receptacle at its to Outlet pipe 85 which serves to connect wit the passa e 38 in the casting 18 also passes through t e top of the receptacle` 82 but extends mto said receptacle for some distance 139 below the top. The ends of the coils 83 communicate with the bottom of the receptacle. The receptacle 82 and coils 83 are preferably of co per.

In the modifie form of evaporator shown in Fig. 6 the outlet pipe 86 extends through the bottom of the receptacle for some distance into the interior thereof and the inlet pipe 87 after enterin receptacle through the top is bent to one si e to be out of alignment with the pipe 86.

Heat insulating walls 88, 89 and 90 (see Figs. 7 and 8) extending downward from the bottom of the brine tank, sup ort the heat insulating shelf 100 which is adlxipted to carry pans containing water to be frozen. The walls, 88, 89 and 90 with the shelf 100 form a compartment, the bottom and three sides of which are formed of heat insulating material, and the top of which is formed by the brine tank.

The operation of the refrigerating apparatus is as follows The refrigerant, such for example as sulphur dioxide, in gaseous condition is drawn through passages 38 through valve openings 39 into compressor cylinders. The oscillation of these cylinders by reason of the slight turning movement of the piston rods during their reciprocation causes the openings 39 in the cylinders to move into and out of alignment with the ends of the passages 38. The compressors, as may be seen from the drawings, are double acting. The refrigerant being compressed in the cylinders 32 passes out through the snifter valves 40 into the compression chamber 20 thence down through tube into the condensing chamber. Coming in contact with cooling coil 17 it is li uefied and collects in the reservoir 69. hen a sufficient uantity has accumulated the float 75 is raisefd, opening valve 71-72 and allowing the liquid to pass through pipe 76 into the receptacle 82 and into the evaporating coils 83. The liquid refrigerant fills the evaporating coils and covers the lower portion of the receptacle 82. The oil which has been carried to the receptacle by the refrigerant separates and floats on surface of the refrigerant in receptacle 82. As the liquid refrigerant is evaporated in the coils it passes up through the liquid in the receptacle and thence from the pipe 85 to the compressor. The position of the opening into this pipe is such as to be slightly above the normal level of the liquid refrigerant in the receptacle. Whenever there is an excess of oil present in the receptacle it passes into pipe 85 and is returned to the compressor. As the normal charge of the device provides sulicient liquid' Lito keep the evaporator coil primed, the oil passing into the receptacle 82 will not enter the coils 83 where it would thicken and tend to clog the coils and prevent the evaporation of the refrigerant.

.It will be seen that the coolin water assing out through the coil 17 an aroun the dome 24 not only serves to condense the refrigerant but also to keep the motor and its bearings cool.

It will be noted that by removing the screws 81 which secure the cover 79 to the brine tank 80 the entire refrigerating inachine including the evaporator can be lifted from the refrigerator, or if desired the machine may be removed in the same manner but with the brine tank attached.

While the machine as above described may be used in connection with refrigerators of various types, I have devised a refrigerator which is particularlywell adapted for use in this connection. Referrimr to Figs. 7 and 8, the refrigerator is provided with a central compartment 91 which is adapted to contain the brine tank. The floor 92 of this compartment is provided with a raised central portion 93 which permits the circulation of the air through the bottom of the compartment. Side walls 94 which are preferably constructed of heat insulating material are removably seated at their lower edges between flanges 95 formed at the sides of the floor 92 and angle irons 96 secured to said floor. Spring clips 97 secured to angle brackets 98 serve to hold these walls at their upper edges. By raising the clips 97 walls 94 may be swung outwardly and removed through the doors 99 of the refrigerator. This renders all sides of the chamber accessible for cleaning. The top of the chamber 91 is likewise open merely providing for a free circulation of air which passes through the floor of the central compartment, spreads itself over the bottom of the refrigerator and passes up through the side com artments. Directly in front of the shel 100 is a door 101 which permits the removal and insertion of the water pans.

What I claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States, is

1. The combination with a casing provided with a compression chamber, a compressor located in the lower portion of said chamber, a motor for operating the compressor located in the u per portion of said chamber, and means or conducting cooling Huid around said motor, and means for automatically controlling the flow of cooling fluid in response to the temperature in the upper portion of said compression chamber.

2. In a refrigerating machine, a base casing, an intermediate casing forming with sald base casing a condenser chamber, an upper easing forming with said intermediate casing` a compression chamber, a compressor located in said compression chamber, a motor for driving said compressor located in the upperportion of said Acompression chamber, an enclosing cap fastened to said upper casing and forming a chamberbetween said cap and the upper portion of said compression chamber in which said motor is located, and means for conducting cooling fluid through the condensing chamber and through said chamber formed by said enclosing cap.

In a refrigerating machine, a base casin an intermediate casing formi with sald base casing a condensing cham er, an upper casing forming with said intermediate casing a compression chamber, a compressor located in said compression chamber a motor for driving said compressor located in the upper portion of said compression chamber, an enclosing cap fastened to said upper casing and forming a chamber between said cap and the upper portion of said compression chamber in which said motor is mounted, means for conducting cooling fluid through the condensing chamber and through said chamber formed by said cap, and means for automatically controlling the flow of cooling fluid in response to the temperature within said chamber formed by said enclosing cap.

4. In a refrigerating machine, a base casing provided with openinos for the passage of condensing fluid and formed with a depression for the collection of condensed refrigerant, an intermediate casing forming wit 1 said base casing, a condensin chamber, an upper casing forming with said intermediate casing, a compression chamber, a compressor located in said compression chamber, a motor for driving said compressor located in the upper portion of said compression chamber, and means to conduct condensing fluid from the base casing through the condensing chamber and around said motor.

5. In a refrigerating machine, a base casmg formed with a reservoir for condensed re rigerant, an intermediate casing forming with said base casing, a condensing chamber, an upper casing forming with said intermediate casing a colnpression chamber, the motor for driving said compressor being located in the upper portion of said compression chamber, and means to conduct a fluid to cool first, the reservoir second, the condensing chamber, and third, the motor in the compression chamber.

6. The combination with a casing forming a chamber adapted to contain lubricant, of a compressor in said chamber and adapted to be immersed in said lubricant, a motor for driving said compressor located in the upper portion of said chamber, means to force lubricant from the lower portion of said chamber through the bearin of said motor and against the upper wa s of said chamber and means for cooling said upper walls.

7. The combination with a refrigerator having an opening and a cover for the opening, of a brine tank located within the refrigerator, said brine tank being provided with a cover removably secured thereto, means for suspending the cover of said brine tank from said first named cover, an evaporator, and means for suspending said evaporator from the cover of said brine tank.

8. In a device of the character described, a refrigerator having an outer body portion, a central compartment open at the to a and bottom, said central compartment eing composed of a fioor formed with side channels, and side walls seated in said channels,

and spring clips secured to said body portion, and engaging the upper edges of said side walls.

9. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is va orized, compressed and condensed, the combmation of a unitary structure having a condensing chamber, a motor and a compressor enclosed in said structure, said motor having a deflector for protecting the parts of the motor from con tact with a liquid entering the enclosure for said motor.

l0. In a refrigerating machine in which a refrigerant Huid is vaporized, compressed and condensed, the combination with a chamber in which a change of state of the refrigerant fluid is effected), of a c mpressor and actuating motor therefor, said motor comprising a' substantially closed housing for the operating parts of the motor, driveshaft means for said compressor and motor, and a deflector to protect the interior parts of the motor from contact with liquids entering into said housing about said shaft means.

11. In a refrifrerating machine in which a refrigerant fluid is vaporized, com ressed and condensed, a condensing cham er, an expansion chamber, a compressor and motor therefor, said motor com rising a substantiall closed housing for t e operating parts of t e motor, drive-shaft means for said compressor and motor, and a member mounted to rotate with the motor armature for receiving and deflecting liquids entering into said housing about said shaft means.

In witness whereof, I have hereunto set my hand this 30th day of June, 1920.

CLARK ORR. 

